Legal permanent residents (LPRs) of the United States have specific rights and responsibilities. It is important that LPRs know their rights and uphold these responsibilities, especially if they wish to become citizens in the future.

Rights of LPRs

As an LPR, you have the right to:

• Live and work permanently anywhere in the U.S.
• Be protected under all federal, state, and local laws
• Own property in the U.S.
• Request a visa for your spouse and/or unmarried children to live in the U.S.
• Get Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare benefits, if you are eligible
• Apply for a driver’s license in your state/territory
• Attend public school or college
• Join certain branches of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Vote in some elections (those for which citizenship is not required)*

You can also travel freely outside the U.S. and need only your green card to reenter the country as long as you are absent for less than one year. (Travel documents are required for longer trips.)

Finally, you can apply for U.S. citizenship when you become eligible.

Responsibilities of LPRs

As an LPR, you have the responsibility to:

• Obey all federal, state, and local laws
• Pay federal, state, and local income taxes (i.e., file tax returns)
• Carry proof of your LPR status at all times
• Give your new address to the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of each time you move
• Register with the Selective Service (i.e., the draft), if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25

Maintaining LPR Status

To maintain your LPR status, make sure that you fulfill all the responsibilities listed above, and make sure not to vote in elections that are open only to U.S. citizens.

Furthermore, you should not do any of the following, as they can be used as evidence that you have abandoned your permanent resident status:

• Move to another country to live there permanently
• Remain outside the U.S. for one year without obtaining a reentry permit or returning resident visa, or remain outside the U.S. for more than two years after issuance of a reentry permit without obtaining a returning resident visa
• Fail to file your income tax returns while living outside the U.S.
• Declare yourself a “nonimmigrant” on your tax returns

Finally, you should be aware that certain crimes can affect your LPR status, including:

• A crime defined as an “aggravated felony,” which includes crimes of violence that are felonies with a one-year prison term
• Murder
• Terrorist activities
• Rape
• Sexual assault on a child
• Trafficking in drugs, firearms, or people
• A crime of “moral turpitude,” which in general is a crime with an intent to steal or defraud; a crime where physical harm is done or threatened; a crime where serious physical harm is caused by reckless behavior; or a crime of sexual misconduct

Your LPR status and/or eligibility for citizenship might also be affected if you:

• Lie to get immigration benefits for yourself or someone else
• Say you are a U.S. citizen if you are not
• Are a “habitual drunkard”—someone who is drunk or someone who uses illegal drugs most of the time
• Are married to more than one person at the same time
• Fail to support your family or to pay child or spousal support as ordered
• Are arrested for assault or harassing a family member (commit domestic violence), including violating a protection order
• Lie to get public benefits

If you have committed or been convicted of one of these crimes, or some other criminal act, we suggest that you consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

Conditional Permanent Residency

Conditional permanent residents have the same rights and responsibilities as unconditioned LPRs. The only difference is that the status of a conditional permanent resident expires within two years, unless the alien successfully petitions to have the condition removed.

*U.S. citizenship is required to vote in all federal elections. Some state and local elections, however, may be open to permanent residents. Check with your state, county, and/or city to see which elections permanent residents are allowed to vote in.

–
Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients nationwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled thousands of immigration cases.
At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, PERM, and I-485 cases. In the past twelve years, we have successfully helped thousands of clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.
Zhang & Associates, PC.
Houston ∙ New York ∙ Chicago ∙ Austin
Tel：1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email: @hooyou.com">info@hooyou.com
website：http://www.hooyou.com